| Scheme | Summary | Window Close | ||
| Farming Connect Training Application Window |
The current Farming Connect training application window will close on Friday 27th May.
For the full list of courses and/or support on how to apply, contact the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813. More information can be found here. |
Closes 27th May 2022 | ||
| Horticulture Development Scheme |
The Horticulture Development scheme is a Capital grant scheme available to existing commercial horticultural producers across Wales. The indicative budget allocation for this application window is £1.5 million. More information can be found here: |
Closes 27th May 2022 | ||
| Woodland Creation Planning Scheme |
The Woodland Creation Planning Scheme offers grants of between £1000 and £5000 to develop plans for new woodland creation. After a plan is successfully verified by NRW it will be eligible for Welsh Government funding for tree planting. More information here. The design of the scheme is based on the pilot which was run last year. The scheme will be open throughout the year (subject to budget) with applications selected every 6 weeks. Funding for woodland creation will be available from August 2022, with windows opening every 3 months from then onwards (subject to budget). |
Open until 31st December 2022 | ||
| Small Grants - Efficiency |
A scheme to support investment into new equipment and technology to enhance the technical, financial and environmental performance of farm businesses. This is similar to the Farm Business Grant scheme. The minimum grant amount has been reduced to £1,000 and the maximum is £12,000. Previous participation in the FBG does not affect eligibility. A maximum of 40% contribution is available against actual invoiced costs. Prices have been updated and verified at the end of March. More information will be available on RPW Online in due course. This window has an indicative budget of £5m. |
18th May - 29th June 2022 | ||
| Small Grants - Environmental |
A scheme to support a range of land management interventions and provide capital support for on-farm environmental improvements to enhance the quality of Wales’ natural resources. This is equivalent to the previous Glastir Small Grants scheme. It is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per window for Capital Works Projects. This round will address the theme of Water. Land parcels already under Glastir contracts will not be eligible. The indicative budget for this window is £3m. |
23rd May - 1st July 2022 | ||
| Small Grants - Horticulture Start Up |
A scheme to support new entrants to establish new commercial horticulture enterprises. The grant available for each applicant is £3,000, awarded in the form of working capital. The indicative budget allocation for this window is £300,000. |
25th May - 29th June 2022 | ||
|
Small Grants - Growing for the Environment |
A pilot scheme to encourage the growing of crops and pastures to provide an environmental benefit such as protein crops, mixed leys and cover crops for environmental, biodiversity and production benefits. The first window will be limited to establishing an unsprayed cover crop following autumn harvesting of cereals or maize. A new window for planting in spring 2023 will open this autumn. Confirmation and further details to follow. |
Opening June 2022 | ||
|
Small Grants - Yard Coverings |
A scheme to provide support through capital grants to enhance nutrient management through investment in covering existing farmyard infrastructure. | Opening June 2022 | ||
|
Organic Conversion Scheme |
A scheme to support farmers to convert to organic production systems. There will only be one EOI window. The scheme will include a two year conversion payment. Payment rates will be based on current land use and production system. The entire CPH has to be included and requires a total five year commitment to organic management. |
Opening July 2022 | ||
|
Nutrient Management Investment Scheme |
A scheme to provide support through capital grants for infrastructure investment to enhance on-farm nutrient management and storage. | Opening July 2022 | ||
|
Woodland Creation (Planting) |
A scheme to support Welsh Government's commitment to create a National Forest for Wales. | Opening August 2022 | ||
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NRW Peatlands Grant Funding |
Capital development grants of between £10,000 - £30,000 available to reverse habitat loss and improve the condition of Welsh peatlands.
More information can be found here. |
4th April - 4th July 2022 |
Agricultural Policy
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has launched its Manifesto ahead of the 2022 Welsh Local Government elections which will take place on 5th May.
The Manifesto sets out the Union’s key asks and calls on incoming Councillors and Local Authorities in regards to; local procurement, county council farm holdings, EU replacement funds, local housing, sustainable tourism, carbon offsetting and afforestation, digital connectivity and trading standards.
As all corners of society recover from recent and ongoing global events, Local Authorities will have a big part to play in ensuring that all policies work for Wales’ local communities, economies, society and cultures - although the increasing burden on Local Authorities alongside cuts to annual budget allocations must not be underestimated.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has, for a second time, written to the Welsh Government urging them to instigate actions within their control to alleviate some of the pressures of the Ukraine war on Welsh farmers and consumers.
In response to the initial letter sent to the Welsh Government on 4th March 2022, in which the Union requested a roundtable meeting with them and other stakeholders to discuss such issues and possible actions, the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths stated that the Welsh Government did not believe such a meeting was appropriate.
The FUW is acutely concerned at the failure of both the Welsh and UK Governments to engage with the supply chain early on in order to explore immediate actions that will help mitigate problems that are having an impact now, and will continue to do so for the remainder of the year and at least into 2023.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has repeated its concerns about the current Australia trade deal and its impacts on UK agriculture when giving evidence to the Welsh Senedd‘s Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee.
There's a natural concern that the full liberalisation of the trading of agricultural goods risks the displacement of Welsh and UK food production.
Although the UK Government impact assessment implies an estimated loss of gross output for Wales's beef and sheep sectors of £29 million, this needs to be considered in the context that the UK-Australia deal is likely to set a precedent for future trade deals.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has written to the UK’s major retailers highlighting the need for ongoing support for Welsh and UK food given the impacts of the Russian war on Ukraine on input costs.
There is no doubt that major retailers will be aware of the stark increases in food production costs farmers across the globe have and are continuing to experience.
Alongside possible shortages and unavailability of animal feed ingredients such as maize and sunflower meal, the AHDB has estimated there will be a 40% year-on-year increase in the price of feed concentrates. Average red diesel prices increased by 75.4 pence per litre, or 50%, between 10th February and 10th March, and average fertiliser prices have more than tripled since last year, with some types of nitrogen based fertiliser reaching almost £1,000 a tonne.